Funded early learning for three and four year old - NEW 30 Hours Funded Childcare

Making childcare affordable

.Why is early learning so important for your child?

Research suggest early learning gives children the best
start in life. Through learning and playing with other children iin a safe and structured environment, they will have a head start when they begin school.

What is your child
entitled to?

All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of
funded nursery education for 38 weeks or stretched for the equivalent number of hours across more weeks per year. This is a universal entitlement for all children and applies until they reach
compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday).

When does my child
qualify for a funded place?

Children will qualify for a funded early education place
the term after their third birthday.

If your child is born
between:

They are eligible for a funded place
from:

1St April and 31st August

1st September following their third birthday or the beginning of the autumn school term.

1st September and 31st December

1st January following their third birthday or the beginning of the spring school term.

1st January and 31st March

1st April following their third birthday or the beginning of the summer school term

For more information about your funded early education place please speak to your Nursery Manager.

NEW additional funded entitlement for three and four year olds (30 hours) from September 2017

The 15 hours additional funded childcare entitlement for
working parents of three and four year olds is a new governement scheme to help families by reducing the cost of childcare.

It will support parents into work or to work more hours
should they wish to do so.

This is in addition to the existing 15 hours of funded
early education, which is available to all three and four year olds.

Do I qualify for the
additional entitlement?

You can apply for the additional funded
entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds if:

You and your partner (or the sole parent in a lone parent family), are in work with each parents earning, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at
national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW) and not more than £100,000 or more for at least one parent per household per year.

This includes self-employed parents and those parents on zero contracted hours who meet the criteria

The government intends that the additional entitlement should be available in the following circumstances:

Both parents are employed but on or both parents is temporarily away from the workplace on parental leave or adoption leave

Both parents are employed but one or both parents is temporarily away from the workplace on statutory sick pay

One parent is employed and one parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits received for caring

One parent is employed and one parent is disabled incapacitated based on receipt of specific benefits

How can I
use my additional entitlement?​

The government has limited session times between
06:00 - 20:00

The government has restricted funded hours to a
maximum of 10 funded hours per day

The funded hours can be split between a maximum
of two childcare providers

Funded hours can be stretched throughout the year
(upto 52 weeks) and not just restricted to 38 weeks

Speak to your nursery manager to understand
nursery opening hours and how this entitlement is being implemented at your setting.

What are the
benefits of stretched funding?

Your child will receive consistent care and early
years education throughout the year

It will allow you to balance work or other
commitments

It will assist you to budget consistently
throughout the calendar year

First
steps......

Use the Childcare calculator to see if you could
qualify for the additional funded entitlement

You may receive an email informing you when you
can sign up to 30 hours

Next
steps......

Once you have successfully applied for the
additional funded entitlement.......

You will receive a letter confirming your
entitlement from HM government informing you of your eligibility code for each child

You will need to take your eligibility code along
with your National Insurance Number and your child's date of birth to your nursery manager

Sign the parent declaration form given to you by
your nursery manager

How do I
reconfirm my eligibility?

Every three months you will receive a reminder to
reconfirm your eligibility, simply tick the box to confirm that you detail have not changed.

If you do not reconfirm your eligibility, then
you will longer receive the additional entitlement.

What if I am
no longer eligible - is there a grace period?

Please remember the government believes it is
right to ensure that there will be a short grace period for families whose circumstances change. This will give parents the opportunity to regain employment ensuring your child will receive
continuity of throughout this period.

Can I apply
for both Tax Free Childcare and the extended entitlement?

Yes! Parents will be able to apply for both Tax
Free Childcare and the additional entitlement through a joint application developed by HMRC.

Tax Free Childcare

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

Tax Free childcare is a government scheme
introduced to help your family with the cost of childcare and will support you into work or to increase your hours at work, should you wish to.

What could I
be entitled to?

You could get up to £2,000 government support per
child per year, (a maximum of £500 per child per quarter) towards your childcare costs.

How do I pay
my childcare fees?

If you choose Tax-Free Childcare as a payment
method, you will be able to open an online Childcare Account for each of your children. For every £8 you pay into your Childcare Account(s), the government will automatically pay in an extra £2. You
can use this money to pay your childcare fees.

Do I
qualify?

You can apply for Tax-Free Childcare
if:

You and your partner (or the sole parent in a lone-parent family), are in work with each parent earning, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at
national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW) and not more than £100,000 or more for at least one parent per household per year.

Your child is less than 12 years old (or less than 17 years old if they are disabled)

The child you are applying for usually lives with you

You work in the UK (if you’re a Crown servant or member of the HM Armed Forces posted overseas you can still get Tax-Free Childcare if your childcare provider is UK
regulated)

I am
self-employed, do I qualify?

You are entitled to a start-up period during your
first 12 months of self-employment. During this time, you don’t have to earn the minimum £115 a week to be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.

Can I use
Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as receiving other government schemes?

You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare at the same
time as receiving vouchers, Universal Credit or Tax Credits.

First
Step!

Use the Childcare Calculator to see if you
qualify for Tax-Free Childcare

You will receive an email informing you when you
can sign up to Tax-Free Childcare

You will need to set up a Tax-Free Childcare
account

Once you set up your Childcare account, you will
receive a welcome pack

Next
Step!

Once you’ve successfully applied for your online
account, you;

Can set up payments from your bank to your
childcare account which will receive the government top up

Set up payments to your registered childcare
provider(s)

Will receive a BACS reference number per child
which you must provide to us in order for us to allocate payments against your childcare fees

You and others can pay into your childcare
account as and when you like. How much you pay into your Childcare Account, and when, is up to you. You can make one-off payments or set-up a standing order to make regular payments into your
Childcare Account.

How do I
reconfirm my eligibility?

Every 3 months, you will receive a reminder to
reconfirm your eligibility, simply tick the box to confirm that your details have not changed.

If you do not reconfirm your eligibility, you
will no longer receive government top ups until you do so.

Can I
withdraw money from the account?

If your circumstances change or you no longer
want to pay into the account, then you’ll be able to withdraw the money you have built up. If you do, the government will withdraw its corresponding contribution.

Can I apply
for both Tax Free Childcare and the additional entitlement?

Yes! Parents will be able to apply for both Tax
Free Childcare and the additional entitlement through a joint application developed by HMRC.

Useful
Information......

You can use the Childcare Calculator to see if
you are eligible and would benefit from Tax Free Childcare by going to:

Discounts and Promotions at The Lawns Children's Nursery

Free Settling Sessions

At The Lawns Children’s Nursery every child is
offered a number of free settling sessions to help them and you become familiar with the nursery/pre-school and our staff. The number of sessions will depend on you and your child and how much time
you both need to feel comfortable and confident in the nursery/pre-school surroundings.